Juggling life through a bi-polar lens. Sometimes up, sometimes down. Mostly trying to tread water in the middle. Creating a likeness to a normal life. Whatever "normal" is...

Friday 4 May 2012

Scooter

Poor Scooter had a bad seizure the other day. He had another episode this evening, a ripple of after-effect from the big one I think, just a small one this time,but notable, and scary.

I posted details on my Facebook page the other day but I'm cutting and pasting it into here for people who care about Scooter and who won't have got to see it... maybe if you've had cats with seizures you'll be able to advise. I can find tons of info about seizures in cats on the net but not about what to do during one, other than keep YOURSELF calm, keep them safe, and don't let them get too hot. I went on kitty-mum instincts mostly, and remembering what happened with his previous ones....


Poor Scooter had another seizure yesterday.
We had taken him to the vet just for a check up really, and because he has had a weepy eye for over a week. Not snotty or anything, just weepy.

All went ok. Fine at the vet. Trip in car fine too....

Got in, opened the door to his carrier and he came out slowly, wobbly, fell down. Tried walking again and again, wobbly, fell. No strength in back legs. I recognised what was going on and picked him up and lay him in my arms. I held him and talked to him for 40 mins,holding him still and trying to calm him.

He was purring fast- they purr not just when they're happy, but also when they are scared or stressed, to calm themselves down. I was worried he was hyperventalating at one point. I stroked him slowly and talked to him and took big, deep breaths myself. Soon he was copying me! HE slowly calmed.

Twitching all the time, his head and front paws.

It's best to leave them lying flat when they seize, but only if they're in a safe place and warm. Hence I picked him up and held him, rather than leave him in the middle of the floor. This way I could judge the severity of the twitches, too. In my arms, I tried to hold him flat across my lap, leaning down with him, so his head wasn't far above the rest of him. I tried to sound and feel calm for him, but inside I was breaking up. He never lets anyone hold him normally. He just isnt a cuddle cat.

At one point he burrowed his head under my chin and held on with his front paws.

He lay across me again and tried to walk, but still nothing there in his back legs. We were getting scared hed had a stroke. Then, poor love, the muscles gone, I'm afraid he emptied all his bottom all over me and the cover I was sitting on. K and I quickly found a way to roll all this away so he wouldn't get distressed, and we tucked a towel there.

I spoke with the vet on the phone after 40 mins of this (K called earlier- they called back) and while I was speaking Scooter wobbled a few steps. A few wobbly steps at a time and he had reached his food bowl, where he took a few mouthfuls. Delighted he was in recovery, the vet said to just keep watch.

Over the next hour he was wobbly and walked a few steps a time on his haunches. He couldn't interact with me or make eye contact. Then he crawled along on his belly, sniffing around the place to investigate it. Loss of memory of place and loss of eyesight can happen afterwards, so I just followed him round, talking to him. At one point he walked into a pile of books and just stopped. For 5 mins he just stood there, looking asleep. Then he 'came to', backed up, and went into his box.

His been ok since, quiet, but pops out to lie by the fire now and then, and has been out to use his wee patch in the garden (he won't use litter trays though we leave a clean one down for him).

Today he is sleepy, eating, but not interacting much, and I wonder if his eyesight is stil not back right.

All this just for the stress of a trip to the vet and a ride in the car. Nothing else. Just for a checkup and a weepy eye. What on earth shall we do if he ever shows something more in need of urgent attention?

Poor old thing. He's past his 19th birthday and I guess he is wearing out. My heart breaks at the thought of it. Though, when the time comes, if it's an irrecoverable seizure that takes him in my arms, that might be preferable to any long drawn out illness...... I am trying to see a good side.

The last thing the vet told me was 'spoil him' :) she should come see the house. His blankies and stuff are everywhere.
I've been sleeping downstairs to keep an eye on him since so I'll  be down here again tonight....

I do hope he settles down and becomes stable as Luvbug is away from early Sat to late Mon as he is going to Ireland for his mum's 80th.        

**** *** **** *** **** ***
Love, tea & cake,  
Helena

10 comments:

Eileen said...

We've not had a cat with seizures, Helena, so I don't have any helpful advice. But I am keeping you and Scooter in my thoughts, and wish you both well. He knows his mum loves him.

Hugs for you both, (((())))

Mrs Mac said...

I hope so, he cuddledup to me when he was 'under' in such a heart wrenching way! I just want him to be warm, comfortable, and to feel safe and loved.

As I type he is by the fire, it's 1.50am and I have just refluffed up his favourite mousie.

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

Helena, I know how hard it is to see your baby suffer. I will keep you and Scooter in my thoughts

Mrs Mac said...

Thank you, Angel & Kirby. I feel like I've been crying forever.

Shrinky said...

Oh Helena, what a horrible time for you all ((hugs)). Poor Scooter, lets hope it was just a one off, and everything will settle back to normal with him again. In the meantime, you are taking wonderful, loving care of him, and I'm sure it's a big reassurance knowing you are by his side. So sorry Lovebug has to be away over some of this, isn't that just Sod's law? I'm thinking of you hon, and sending as many warm, posistive thoughts as I can possibly muster your way. X

Beanie Mouse said...

Big hugs from me too. Hope everything OK....

BumbleVee said...

Awwww Helena....so sorry to hear this. We had an old cat...she was 22...and she began having seizures too... we would just lie down on the floor with her and try to hold her gently til it passed. But... we could only watch her suffer so many times and then.... we thought it best to let her sleep for the final time...... brings tears to my eyes just thinking of it ad it was over 40 years ago now.....

Big hugs

Veronica...aka

BumbleVee

Di said...

Oh Helena, thinking so much about you and Scooter. I think you're doing everything right - warmth, comfort, safety and love. Just wish you weren't so far away :(
Love and hugs

Di
xxx

Roz said...

Poor Scooter!! I hope he improves...

I had a cat that sort of had seizures... fainting spells, but not fainting, and then she'd go all stiff and dig her claws into the carpet so "she didn't fall off", but then do flips in the air crash landing, wide eyed. Scary stuff. She didn't get over them and had to be put to sleep... Good luck to Scooter x

Timaree said...

Well, I hope it was just a tag-a-long to the other and that Scooter hasn't had anymore.